Our History

The Mead Centre began as Newport Pagnell Church Hall, which was part of the United Reformed Church. Discussions began in 2013 to explore options for either refurbishing the existing building or building or replacing it. In 2014, plans for a new purpose-built community centre were commissioned. We spoke to both current and potential users to inform our planning.

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In May 2015, we were granted planning permission from Milton Keynes Council for a three-year period. The Project Team also began the process of applying for grants and exploring funding options to progress the building plans. The original fundraising target was £660,000.

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Over three years, we worked hard to promote the project within the local community, to raise public awareness, and to raise funds. By 2018, we had raised £550,000. This included pledges of money and donations. There was even an anonymous donation of £100,000. Further funds were raised in the following years.

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Despite delays during the pandemic, the Mead Centre was opened April 2022. It is a unique space at the centre of Newport Pagnell that was created by the United Reformed Church, in partnership with the wider community.

The Mead Centre was named after Gordon Mead and his wife Glenys. Gordon was a church member throughout his life, who devoted a great deal of his time to repairing the original hall. Glenys was a midwife who delivered many of the children born in Newport Pagnell a couple of generations before. It was for example of Gordon’s life that the decision was made to name the new building after him.

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